As the Caribbean yachting sector continues to evolve, IBC Shipyard has reinforced its commitment to professional development and operational excellence through the successful hosting of the second edition of IBC Crew Master 2026, a specialised educational forum dedicated exclusively to captains operating in the region.

Held at the Hilton Garden Inn La Romana, the event gathered more than 40 captains, together with international industry experts, maritime authorities, technical partners and institutional representatives for a full-day programme focused on technical preparedness, safety, regulatory awareness and leadership in today’s yachting environment.

Created and organised by IBC Shipyard, one of the Caribbean’s leading yacht service facilities based in the Dominican Republic, the initiative reflects a growing effort to elevate operational standards and strengthen professional capabilities within a rapidly expanding regional yachting ecosystem.

The programme featured a strong international component, bringing together speakers from globally recognised companies and institutions, including Floating Life, Seakeeper and Azimut Benetti Americas.

Among the international contributors, Caterina Cabo, Certification & Flag State Relationship Manager at Floating Life, addressed the evolution of the captain’s role, crew dynamics and leadership onboard, highlighting the increasingly multidisciplinary demands placed on captains navigating modern yachting operations.

Technical innovation and vessel performance were explored by Joe Muscolino, Area Manager at Seakeeper, who shared insights into stabilisation technology for yachts of varying sizes, while Andrea Cecchini, Director of Service & Spare Parts at Azimut Benetti Americas, contributed a technical session focused on essential maintenance practices and operational readiness for out-of-warranty yachts.

The event also featured a dedicated conversational session led by ALEARE alongside distinguished Casa de Campo Marina captain Alessandro Drago, offering perspectives on the legal responsibilities, operational realities and evolving expectations surrounding the role of the modern captain.

Alongside international expertise, Dominican maritime authorities participated in discussions surrounding navigation licensing, digital maritime clearance procedures, onboard emergency response and operational safety — areas increasingly relevant to the growth and maturity of Caribbean yachting destinations.

Captains also engaged with yacht support agencies, insurance specialists and marine technical partners covering key operational topics including maritime logistics, emergency preparedness, life raft compliance, maintenance systems, lubrication technologies and financial planning.

During the event, Mauro Caslini, President and Founder of IB Nautica Group, highlighted the growing strategic importance of the nautical sector within the Dominican Republic and wider Caribbean economy.

“More than 30,000 families depend on this sector, and it should no longer be viewed as a niche for the wealthy, but rather as a meaningful opportunity for sustainable nautical tourism and the blue economy,” said Caslini.

He further stressed the importance of continued education, modern infrastructure and collaborative dialogue between industry stakeholders to support long-term sector development.

Institutional participation included representatives from the Dominican-Italian Chamber of Commerce and the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism, reflecting increasing recognition of yachting as a contributor to tourism diversification, maritime infrastructure development and regional economic growth.

As destinations across the Caribbean continue to strengthen their yachting offering, initiatives such as IBC Crew Master highlight a growing focus on professional training and operational readiness — areas increasingly recognised as essential to the sustainable development of the sector.